Securing tool

ABSTRACT

A securing tool and methods for its use are described herein. In various embodiments, the securing tool may include a handle and one or more prying members positioned at a first end of the securing tool opposite the handle. The prying member(s) may be shaped to engage a release of a self-tensioned hose clamp to cause the handle to be manipulable to spring the self-tensioned hose clamp. The securing tool may include first and second sensors configured to provide first and second signals, respectively, that are indicative of sensed occurrence of first and second events after the handle is manipulated to spring the self-tensioned hose clamp. In various embodiments, if the first and second signals satisfy a criterion, the hose clamp may be deemed to have been properly installed onto a hose or other conduit.

BACKGROUND

Hose clamps may be used to snugly secure hoses to fluid conduits such asnozzles or other hoses. In various situations, such as during anautomotive assembly line worker's shift, the worker may be required toinstall a large number of hose clamps. The potentially tedious and/ormonotonous nature of this work may lead to the worker becoming carelessand improperly securing a hose to a tubular fluid conduit. Additionally,operating spaces within vehicles and other machinery may be tight. Thisincreases the difficulty of properly installing hose clamps.Consequently, when the automobile or other machinery is filled withfluids later, the improperly secured hose may leak.

To attempt to make the worker's job easier and/or more efficient, theworker may be provided with so-called “self-tensioned hose clamps.” Aself-tensioned hose clamp may be transitioned (e.g., “sprung”) from anominal state, in which the clamp is biased to retract radially inwardsbut is mechanically prevented from doing so, to a sprung state, in whichthe clamp has been retracted radially inwards to snugly secure a hose toa tubular conduit. However, it may be difficult to determine whether aself-tensioned hose clamp has been properly secured to a hose becausethe clamp may retract quite rapidly and liquids may not be introduceduntil later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an example self-tensioned hoseclamp, in accordance with the prior art.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict side and top views, respectively, of an examplesecuring tool configured with selected aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 3A-C depict the securing tool of FIGS. 2A-B being operated tospring a self-tensioned hose clamp, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts example waveforms that may be produced by sensorsinstalled on securing tools, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts an example method of operating a securing tool equippedwith selected aspects of the present disclosure, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of a securing tool, inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-C depict the securing tool of FIG. 6 being operated to spring aself-tensioned hose clamp, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts another example method of operating a securing toolequipped with selected aspects of the present disclosure, in accordancewith various embodiments.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are views of another securing tool configured withselected aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict perspective views of an example self-tensionedhose clamp 100 from the prior art that may be operated using a securingtool configured with selected aspects of the present disclosure. This isjust one example of a self-tensioned hose clamp, and is not meant to belimiting. Other self-tensioned hose clamps from the prior art may comein other configurations and still be operated using tools configuredwith selected aspects of the present disclosure

In FIG. 1A, hose clamp 100 is in a nominal or default state in which itis biased to retract radially inwards but is mechanically prevented fromdoing so by a catch 102 that abuts a surface 104 of a release 106 ofhose clamp 100. Should catch 102 be disengaged from surface 104, e.g.,by prying release 106 upwards so that catch 102 may pass underneathrelease 106, hose clamp 100 may be free to retract inwards, e.g., onto ahose 108 or other tubular conduit that passes through an interior 110 ofhose clamp 100. Hose clamp 100 may retract radially inwards until eitherall of its inherent tension is released, or until it is mechanicallyprevented from retracting any further by hose 108. Hose clamp 100 isdepicted in its sprung state in FIG. 1B.

As will be depicted in more detail in FIGS. 3A-C, hose clamp 100 mayalso include a leverage tab 112 on which a securing tool (see FIGS.2A-B, 3A-C, 6, 7A-C) may be placed when the securing tool is engagedwith a release aperture 107 through release 106. Once the securing toolis so engaged, it may be manipulated to pry release 106 upwards,disengaging catch 102 from surface 104 and springing hose clamp 100 sothat it transitions from the default state depicted in FIG. 1A to thesprung state depicted in FIG. 1B, in which hose clamp 100 has a smallerdiameter.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict top and side views, respectively, of an examplesecuring tool 220 configured with selected aspects of the presentdisclosure. Securing tool 220 may include an elongate handle 222 thatmay be shaped to be grasped by, for instance, a human hand. One or moreprying members 224 may be positioned at a first end 226 of securing tool220 opposite handle 222. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A-B, forinstance, there are three prying members 224 a-c, which allow a user toapproach a hose clamp 100 from a variety of angles. Each prying member224 may have a different orientation relative to a longitudinal axis ofsecuring tool 220, and may be shaped to engage release aperture 107through release 106 of self-tensioned hose clamp 100. Once prying member224 is engaged to release 106, handle 222 may be manipulable to springself-tensioned hose clamp 100 from the nominal state depicted in FIG. 1Ato the sprung state depicted in FIG. 1B.

Securing tool 220 may be equipped with a variety of sensors configuredto provide signals indicative of sensed occurrence of various eventsthat occur during operation of securing tool 220 to spring aself-tensioned hose clamp (e.g., 100) to a hose or other tubularconduit. These sensor signals may indicate whether or not theself-tensioned hose clamp was successfully secured to the hose. Thesensors may come in various forms.

For example, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a first sensor 228 and a second sensor230 are provided. In some embodiments, first sensor 228 may be aso-called “continuity” sensor and second sensor 230 may be a soundsensor, although this is not required. In some embodiments, a continuitysensor may comprise an electrical circuit that is nominally open so thatit “senses” the “event” of being closed. An example of how closing sucha circuit may be sensed to determine whether a hose clamp is properlysecured is depicted in FIGS. 3A-C.

In other embodiments, first sensor 228 may be a strain gauge thatincludes, for instance, insulating flexible backing that supports ametallic foil pattern. When the insulating flexible back is deformed,the foil is likewise deformed (i.e., the sensed event), altering anelectrical resistance of the foil. Additionally or alternatively, apiezoelectric sensor may be employed to sense strain. A sound sensor maybe a small microphone, a Lace sensor, a geophone, or another type ofdevice configured to detect an “event” of sound and/or vibration. Wiresinto sensors 228 and 230 are also visible, but in many embodiments,these wires may be hidden, e.g., within a hollow cavity of handle 222.

FIGS. 3A-C depict one example of how securing tool 220 may be operatedto spring self-tensioned hose clamp 100 onto a hose or other tubularconduit (not depicted in FIGS. 3A-C, see FIGS. 1A-B). In FIG. 3A, afront prying member 224 a of securing tool 220 has been engaged througha release aperture (not visible in FIGS. 3A-C, 107 in FIGS. 1A-B)through release 106. Another portion of securing tool 220 abuts leveragetab 112. Catch 102 is pressed against surface 104 of release 106, sothat release 106 prevents catch 102 from moving towards the right.Otherwise, hose clamp 100 is self-tensioned to be biased to retractradially inwards towards its interior 110. At this point, no portion ofhose clamp 100 is in contact with first sensor 228 (which in thisembodiment is a continuity sensor). Accordingly, a de facto openelectric circuit is provided, with one open end terminating at firstsensor 228 and another open end terminating somewhere within first end226 of securing tool 220 or within hose clamp 100. Closing this circuitas described below creates continuity, which first sensor 228 detects.

In FIG. 3B, handle 222 of securing tool 220 has been moved downwardslightly as indicated by the arrow A. This causes front prying member224 a to lift release 106 sufficiently for catch 102 to pass underneath.Consequently, catch 102 and leverage tab 112 move in the direction ofarrow B, retracting hose clamp 100 radially inwards towards its interior110. At the moment depicted in FIG. 3B, leverage tab 112 makes physicalcontact with first sensor 228. This may close the aforementioned opencircuit so that electrical current passes from the wires through firstsensor 228 into a conductive portion (not depicted) of hose clamp 100.In some embodiments, hose clamp 100 may be metallic, and thus, theconductive path of hose clamp 100 may include its entire structure. Fromthe conductive portion of hose clamp 100, electrical current maycontinue back into a conductive path (not depicted in FIGS. 3A-C, seeFIG. 2B left of the line labeled Y) through first end 226 of securingtool 220, which may lead back to first sensor 228, forming a closedcircuit. While the circuit is closed, the continuity sensor (e.g., 228)may sense the passing current (or voltage), in effect “sensing” whenleverage tab 112 contacts first sensor 228.

Second sensor 230 also may detect when leverage tab 112 contacts firstsensor 228, e.g., by sensing pressure waves and/or vibrations. Forexample, due to a relatively large amount of tension being released byhose clamp 100, leverage tab 112 may contact first sensor 228 at arelatively high velocity. This collision may create a distinct and/orsharp sound. Second sensor 230 may be a sound or vibration sensor, andthus may detect the sound of leverage tab 112 contacting first sensor228.

In FIG. 3C, catch 102 and leverage tab 112 have continued along thetrajectory of arrow B. Leverage tab 112 is no longer in contact withfirst sensor 228, so there is no longer any continuity. Hose clamp 100may continue to retract radially inwards towards its interior 110 untileither all tension that existed when hose clamp 100 was in its defaultstate (see FIG. 1A) is released, or until a hose (not depicted in FIGS.3A-C, see FIGS. 1A-B) that runs through interior 110 of hose clamp 100mechanically prevents hose clamp 100 from retracting radially inwardsany further.

In various embodiments, signals produced by first sensor 228 and secondsensor 230 may be analyzed according to various criteria to determinewhether hose clamp 100 was successfully and/or properly secured to ahose or other tubular conduit. For example, in some embodiments,securing tool 220 may include or be operably coupled with logic 232 (seeFIG. 2B), such as one or more processors, a field-programmable gatearray (“FPGA”), an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”),etc. Logic 232 may be configured to determine whether first and secondsignals produced by first and second sensors 228 and 230, respectfully,satisfy one or more criteria. Logic 232 may then provide output (e.g., asound, outbound network communication, illumination of one or more lightemitting diodes, haptic feedback, etc.) indicative of the determination.In other embodiments, sensors 228 and 230 may provide their signals to aremote computing device, e.g., using various wired and/or wirelesstechnologies (e.g., RFID, Wi-Fi, BlueTooth, etc.), and the remotecomputing device may determine whether the first and second signalssatisfy a criterion, and may provide output indicative of thedetermination.

The first and/or second sensor signals produced by first and secondsensors 228 and 230, respectively, may be analyzed according to variouscriteria to determine whether self-tensioned hose clamp 100 wassuccessfully secured to a hose or other tubular conduit. For example, insome embodiments, the criteria includes one or both signals satisfyingone or more frequency and/or amplitude thresholds. As another example,the criteria may include detection of the first and second signals bylogic 232 within a predetermined time interval.

An example of a time interval-based criteria is depicted in the chart ofFIG. 4 , in which the X axis represents time. An example analog signalproduced by a sound sensor (e.g., 230) is shown up top and an exampledigital signal produced by a continuity sensor (e.g., 228) is shown atbottom. For the digital signal produced by the continuity sensor (e.g.,228), up represents no contact between leverage tab 112 and first sensor228, and down represents contact. These signal types are not meant to belimiting. For example, in other embodiments, the signal produced by thecontinuity sensor may be an analog signal and/or an analog signalprovided by a sound sensor may be converted to digital.

Both signals are relatively or completely flat until a point at whichcontact is made, e.g., between leverage tab 112 and first sensor 228. Atthat point in time (labeled “CONTACT” in FIG. 4 ), the sound sensorsignal (produced by second sensor 230) may immediately increasesignificantly in amplitude and/or frequency, corresponding with thedistinct sound produced by leverage tab 112 striking first sensor 228.The amplitude and/or frequency may, in some cases, be highest initially,and then may decrease over time, until the sound signal ultimatelyreturns to its relatively flat shape. At the same time of contact, thecontinuity sensor signal (e.g., produced by 228) may immediately dropand a timer may be initiated. The extraneous up pulse indicated at 450may represent leverage tab 112 bouncing off first sensor 228, such thatcontact (and hence, continuity) is briefly interrupted.

In some embodiments, after passage of the time interval labeled “T” inFIG. 4 , the analog sound sensor signal may be analyzed to determinewhether one or more criteria are met. For example, various attributes ofthe analog sound sensor at the end of time interval T, such as itsfrequency or amplitude, may be compared to one or more thresholds. Ifone or more of these attributes satisfies one or more thresholds, thenhose clamp 100 may be deemed to have been properly installed.

In FIGS. 3A-C, a front prying member 224 a of securing tool 220 is usedto spring hose clamp 100. But, as depicted in FIG. 2B, in someembodiments, securing tool 220 may include additional, lateral pryingmembers 224 b and 224 c that extend in a direction that is, forinstance, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of securing tool 220. Invarious embodiments, sensors 228 and/or 230 may operate the same nomatter which prying member 224 is used to engage release 106 of hoseclamp 100. For example, and referring back to FIG. 2B, a substantialportion of first end 226 of securing tool 220, such as the entireportion left of the line labeled Y, may be conductive (e.g., metallic).Accordingly, conductive paths may exist between first sensor 228 and anyof front prying member 224 a, a first side prying member 224 b, and/or asecond prying member 224 c.

FIG. 5 depicts an example method 500 of operating a tool such assecuring tool 220 to install a self-tensioned hose clamp such as hoseclamp 100 to a tubular conduit such as hose 108, in accordance withvarious embodiments. While operations are shown in a particular order,this is not meant to be limiting. In various embodiments, variousoperations may be reordered, added and/or omitted.

At block 502, a handle (e.g., 222) of a securing tool (e.g., 220) may bemanipulated to engage a prying member (e.g., 224) of the securing toolwith a release (e.g., 106) of a self-tensioned hose clamp (e.g., 100).In various embodiments, the securing tool may also be placed against aleverage tab (e.g., 112) of the hose clamp. At block 504, the handle maybe manipulated to leverage the securing tool to lift the release,thereby springing the self-tensioned hose clamp to retract towards itsinterior (e.g., 110).

At block 506, a first signal may be obtained from first sensor 228. Thefirst signal may be indicative of a sensed occurrence of a first eventafter the hose clamp is sprung. For example, the first signal may beindicative of continuity detected by a continuity sensor. At block 508,a second signal may be obtained from second sensor 230. The secondsignal may be indicative of a sensed occurrence of a second event afterthe hose clamp is sprung. For example, the second signal may beindicative of sound detected by a sound sensor. In other embodiments,the first or second signals may be indicative of strain sensed by astrain sensor.

At block 510, the signals obtained at blocks 506 and 508 may be analyzedto determine whether they satisfy one or more criteria. For example, insome embodiments, if the signals were detected within a predeterminedtime interval, then the signals may satisfy a criterion. As anotherexample, if one or both signals has a sufficient amplitude and/orfrequency, then the signals may satisfy a criterion. As yet anotherexample, if continuity and/or satisfactory sound is sensed within apredetermined time interval of an adequate amount of strain (indicatingthat securing tool 220 underwent adequate strain to have sprung hoseclamp 100), then the signals may satisfy a criterion.

While two signals are analyzed in various examples described herein,this is not meant to be limiting. In some embodiments, more than twosensors may be employed on securing tool, and hence, more than twosensor signals may be analyzed. Additionally, any combination of signalsfrom any type of sensors may be analyzed in various ways to determinewhether they satisfy a criterion. For example, sufficient strain beingsensed by a strain sensor in combination with satisfactory sound beingsensed by a sound sensor may satisfy a criterion. Or, sufficient strainbeing sensed in combination with continuity may also satisfy acriterion.

Referring back to FIG. 5 , if the answer at block 510 is no, then method500 may proceed to block 512. At block 512, an indication of anunsuccessful operation of the hose clamp with the securing tool may beoutput. For example, one or more simple output devices integral withsecuring tool 220, such as a speaker, LED, or other mechanism, mayprovide audio, visual, and/or haptic feedback indicating that theoperation was not successful. Additionally or alternatively, logic(e.g., 232) of the securing tool may provide data indicative ofunsuccessful operation to a remote computing device, which may providemore complex output and/or make an entry of the unsuccessful operationin a database. Additionally or alternatively, logic (e.g., 232) of thesecuring tool may store data indicative of unsuccessful operation inlocal memory.

Back at block 510, if the answer is yes, then method 500 may proceed toblock 514. At block 514, an indication of a successful operation of thehose clamp with the securing tool may be output. For example, one ormore simple output devices integral with securing tool 220, such as aspeaker, LED, or other mechanism, may provide audio, visual, and/orhaptic feedback indicating that the operation was successful.Additionally or alternatively, the securing tool may provide dataindicative of successful operation to a remote computing device, whichmay provide more complex output and/or make an entry of the successfuloperation in a database. Additionally or alternatively, logic (e.g.,232) of the securing tool may store data indicative of successfuloperation in local memory.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of a securing tool 620, inaccordance with various embodiments. Many aspects of securing tool 620are similar to those present in the embodiments depicted in previousfigures. For example, securing tool 620 may include an elongate handle622 that may be shaped to be grasped by, for instance, a human hand. Oneor more prying members 624 may be positioned at a first end 626 ofsecuring tool 620 opposite handle 622. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 6 , for instance, there are three prying members 624, two of whichare visible (624 a and 624 c), which allow a user to approach a hoseclamp 100 from a variety of angles. Each prying member 624 may be shapedto engage release aperture 107 through release 106 of self-tensionedhose clamp 100. Once prying member 624 is engaged to release 106, handle622 may be manipulable to spring self-tensioned hose clamp 100 from thenominal state depicted in FIG. 1A to the sprung state depicted in FIG.1B.

As with previous embodiments, securing tool 620 may be equipped with avariety of sensors configured to provide signals indicative of sensedoccurrence of various events that occur during operation of securingtool 620 to spring a self-tensioned hose clamp (e.g., 100) to a hose orother tubular conduit. These sensor signals may indicate whether or notthe self-tensioned hose clamp was successfully secured to the hose. Thesensors may come in various forms.

For example, in FIG. 6 , a first sensor 628 and a second sensor 630 areprovided. In some embodiments, first sensor 628 may be a “continuity”sensor and second sensor 630 may be a sound or vibration sensor,although this is not required. While second sensor 630 is depicted at aparticular location of securing tool 620, this is not meant to belimiting. Second sensor 630 may be located at various locations onand/or within securing tool 620. In some embodiments, a continuitysensor may, as in previous embodiments, take the form of an electricalcircuit. However, unlike previous embodiments (e.g., 228), first sensor628 may be nominally closed, rather than nominally open. Thus, insteadof sensing the “event” of being closed, first sensor 628 senses an eventof being opened. An example of how opening such a circuit may be sensedto determine whether a hose clamp is properly secured is depicted inFIGS. 7A-C.

In some implementations, first sensor 628 may include a recessed innersurface 629. Recessed inner surface 629 may be shaped to receiveleverage tab 112 of retracting hose clamp 100. When leverage tab 112 isengaged with recessed inner surface 629, leverage tab 112 mayeffectively be held within first sensor 628 mechanically, especially asthe user leverages securing tool 620 against leverage tab 112. Recessedinner surface 629 may take various shapes. For example, in FIG. 6 ,recessed inner surface 629 has a cup shape. In other embodiments,recessed inner surface 629 may have other shapes.

In some embodiments, second sensor 630 may take the form of apiezoelectric sensor that detects sound or vibration of securing tool620. In various implementations, when leverage tab 112 of retractinghose clamp 100 is engaged with recessed inner surface 629 of firstsensor 628, a de facto closed electric circuit is provided. Opening thiscircuit as described below may be detected, e.g., by first sensor 628,and may trigger a timer. Within a time interval of the timer beinginitiated (i.e. within the time interval of the circuit opening), logic(232, not depicted in FIG. 6 ) may await another signal from secondsensor 630. If another signal arrives from second sensor 630 within thetime interval (e.g., multiple μs, ms, s, etc.), that may constitute a“pass.” If no such signal arrives within the time interval, that mayconstitute a “fail.” As with previous embodiment(s), various output maybe provided to indicate a “pass” or “fail” such as audible output (e.g.,one or more beeps), haptic feedback (e.g., vibration of securing tool620), visual feedback (e.g., from one or more onboard LEDs and/or on anearby computer screen), etc.

FIGS. 7A-C depict one example of how securing tool 620 of FIG. 6 may beoperated to spring self-tensioned hose clamp 100 onto a hose or othertubular conduit (not depicted in FIGS. 7A-C, see FIGS. 1A-B). In FIG.7A, a front prying member 624 a of securing tool 620 has been engagedthrough a release aperture (not visible in FIGS. 7A-C, 107 in FIGS.1A-B) in release 106. Leverage tab 112 abuts first sensor 628, and inparticular is engaged with recessed inner surface 629. Catch 102 is onceagain pressed against surface 104 of release 106, so that release 106prevents catch 102 from moving towards the right. Otherwise, hose clamp100 is self-tensioned to be biased to retract radially inwards towardsits interior 110. At this point, because hose clamp 100 is in contactwith first sensor 628, the de facto closed electric circuit describedabove is implemented. When this circuit is opened as described below,first sensor 628 raises a signal that causes logic 232 to start theaforementioned timer.

In FIG. 7B, handle 622 of securing tool 620 has been moved downwardslightly as indicated by the arrow A. This causes front prying member624 a to lift release 106 sufficiently for catch 102 to pass underneath.Consequently, catch 102 and leverage tab 112 move in the direction ofarrow B, retracting hose clamp 100 radially inwards towards its interior110. At the moment depicted in FIG. 7B, leverage tab 112 exits recessedinner surface 629 and consequently loses its physical contact with firstsensor 628. This may open the aforementioned closed electrical circuitso that electrical current no longer passes from the wires through firstsensor 628 into a conductive portion (not depicted) of hose clamp 100.As before, in some embodiments, hose clamp 100 may be metallic, andthus, the conductive path of hose clamp 100 may include its entirestructure. When the circuit is opened, the continuity sensor (e.g., 628)may sense the lack of passing current (or voltage), in effect “sensing”when leverage tab 112 leaves first sensor 628.

In FIG. 7C, catch 102 and leverage tab 112 have continued along thetrajectory of arrow B. Hose clamp 100 may continue to retract radiallyinwards towards its interior 110 until either all tension that existedwhen hose clamp 100 was in its default state (see FIG. 1A) is released,or until a hose (not depicted in FIGS. 7A-C, see FIGS. 1A-B) that runsthrough interior 110 of hose clamp 100 mechanically prevents hose clamp100 from retracting radially inwards any further (as indicated by thevibration lines). In the latter case, second sensor 630 may detect whenretracting hose clamp 100 clinches the hose to cause vibrationsthroughout all or portions of securing tool 620. One advantage ofdetecting vibrations throughout securing tool 620 is that the vibrationsresult no matter which prying member (624 a, 624 b, 624 c) is engagedthrough a release aperture (not visible in FIGS. 7A-C, 107 in FIGS.1A-B) in release 106. This provides a worker more flexibility inpotentially tight spaces in which securing tool 620 may be employed,such as inside of vehicles (e.g., on an assembly line), machinery, etc.

FIG. 8 depicts an example method 800 of operating a tool such assecuring tool 620 to install a self-tensioned hose clamp such as hoseclamp 100 to a tubular conduit such as hose 108, in accordance withvarious embodiments. While operations are shown in a particular order,this is not meant to be limiting. In various embodiments, variousoperations may be reordered, added and/or omitted.

At block 802, a handle (e.g., 622) of a securing tool (e.g., 620) may bemanipulated to engage a prying member (e.g., any one of 624 a, 624 b,624 c) of the securing tool with a release (e.g., 106) of aself-tensioned hose clamp (e.g., 100). At block 804, physical contactmay be created between a portion of the self-tensioned hose clamp, suchas the leverage tab 112, and a portion of a first sensor (e.g., 628) ofsecuring tool 620. For example, and as described previously, in someimplementations securing tool 620 may be positioned so that leverage tab112 is retained against recessed surface 629 of first sensor 628, whichas noted previously may be a continuity sensor. This physical contactmay close an electric circuit of which the first sensor is integralpart.

At block 806, the handle 622 may be manipulated to pry the given pryingmember 624 so that release 106 is moved from a first position in whichsurface 104 of the release 106 abuts catch 102 of self-tensioned hoseclamp 100 to a second position in which the catch 102 is free to movepast the surface, thereby springing the self-tensioned hose clamp. Asnoted previously, the springing may break the physical contact betweenthe self-tensioned hose clamp and the portion of the electrical circuit,thereby opening the electrical circuit comprising first sensor 628. Insome embodiments, in response to opening of the electrical circuit, atblock 808, a timer may be initiated, e.g., by logic 232. At block 810 asignal may be obtained from a second sensor (e.g., 630). In someembodiments, second sensor 630 may be a piezoelectric sensor that isconfigured to detect, and provide a signal indicative of, vibrationcreated by the self-tensioned hose clamp clinching a hose.

At block 812, it may be determined, e.g., by logic 232, whether thesignal generated by the second sensor satisfies a criterion. In someimplementations, the criterion may be detection of the second signal bylogic 232 within a predetermined time interval after initiation of thetimer at block 808. Other criteria may be used in addition to or insteadof a time interval, such as frequencies and/or amplitudes of one or moresensor signals satisfying some threshold. If the answer at block 812 isyes, then at block 814, then output may be provided that indicatessuccessful operation of the self-tensioned hose clamp. For example, oneor more simple output devices integral with securing tool 620, such as aspeaker, LED, or other mechanism, may provide audio, visual, and/orhaptic feedback indicating that the operation was successful.Additionally or alternatively, the securing tool may provide dataindicative of successful operation to a remote computing device, whichmay provide more complex output and/or make an entry of the successfuloperation in a database. Additionally or alternatively, logic (e.g.,632) of the securing tool may store data indicative of successfuloperation in local memory.

However, if the answer at block 812 is no, then at block 816, outputindicative of unsuccessful operation of the self-tensioned hose clampmay be provided. For example, one or more simple output devices integralwith securing tool 620, such as a speaker, LED, or other mechanism, mayprovide audio, visual, and/or haptic feedback indicating that theoperation was not successful. Additionally or alternatively, logic(e.g., 632) of the securing tool may provide data indicative ofunsuccessful operation to a remote computing device, which may providemore complex output and/or make an entry of the unsuccessful operationin a database. Additionally or alternatively, logic (e.g., 632) of thesecuring tool may store data indicative of unsuccessful operation inlocal memory.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict different views of an alternative embodiment of asecuring tool 920 with many of the same elements as previousembodiments. In FIG. 9A, securing tool is depicted with a cover (notshown) removed so that in interior is visible. FIG. 9B depicts amid-portion of securing tool 920 from the side. As was the case withprevious embodiments, securing tool 920 includes a handle 922 and afirst end 926 opposite handle 926. Securing tool 920 also includesprying members 924 a-c.

Securing tool also includes one or more sensors that may or may notshare characteristics with first and second sensors (e.g., 228, 628)described previously. For example, securing tool 920 includes avibration sensor 930, and may or may not include additional sensors,such as continuity sensor(s), strain sensors, etc. In someimplementations, vibration sensor 230 takes the form of a piezoelectricsensor. However, unlike previous embodiments, securing tool includes avibration platform 950. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, vibration platform 950 takesthe form of a paddle 952 that is secured to a surface 954 of securingtool 920 at a first end 956. A second, opposite end 958 of paddle 952 isnot secured to surface 954, and therefore is free to vibrate relative tosurface 954. Consequently, paddle 952 extends from surface 954 at anoblique angle.

FIG. 9B demonstrates how paddle 952 is mounted on surface 954 at such anoblique angle β. In some implementations, the angle β may be an acuteangle, e.g., between 0° and 20°, such as between 1° and 5°. In otherembodiments, the angle β may have other values. Paddle 952 may beconstructed in various ways and with various materials, including butnot limited to using printed circuit board (PCB) or another similarsubstrate, various types of plastic, and so forth.

Whatever the value of the oblique angle β, the fact that first end 956of paddle 952 is secured to surface 954 (e.g., using rivets, adhesive,pins, etc.) and second end 958 of paddle 952 is free, results in paddle952 acting as a vibration amplifier. Put another way, paddle 952 mayabsorb more of the kinetic energy associated with vibration of securingtool 920 than in previous embodiments. Consequently, vibration sensor930 may more easily detect when, for instance, leverage tab 112 contactsa first sensor (not shown in FIGS. 9A-B, see FIG. 2 at 228).Additionally or alternatively, vibration sensor 930 may more easilydetect when retracting hose clamp 100 clinches the hose to causevibrations throughout all or portions of securing tool 920, as describedpreviously.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification, should beunderstood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e.,elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctivelypresent in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification, “or” should be understood to havethe same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, whenseparating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted asbeing inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also includingmore than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally,additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary,such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims,“consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of anumber or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used hereinshall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e.“one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity,such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

As used herein in the specification, the phrase “at least one,” inreference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood tomean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elementsin the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one ofeach and every element specifically listed within the list of elementsand not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.This definition also allows that elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified within the list ofelements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related orunrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the specification above, all transitional phrases such as“comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understoodto be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only thetransitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, asset forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent ExaminingProcedures, Section 2111.03.

What is claimed is:
 1. A securing tool, comprising: a handle; one ormore prying members positioned at a first end of the securing toolopposite the handle, the one or more prying members shaped to engage arelease of a self-tensioned clamp such that the handle can bemanipulated to spring the self-tensioned clamp; a paddle extending froma surface of the securing tool at an oblique angle, wherein one end ofthe paddle is secured to the surface and an opposite end of the paddleis free to vibrate relative to the surface; one or more sensorsconfigured to raise one or more signals in response to theself-tensioned clamp being operated to spring the self-tensioned clamp,wherein one or more of the sensors comprises a vibration sensor mountedon the paddle; and a logic configured to determine whether the one ormore signals satisfy one or more criteria, and to provide outputindicative of the determination.
 2. The securing tool of claim 1,wherein the one or more criteria include detection of first and secondsensor signals by the logic within a predetermined time interval.
 3. Thesecuring tool of claim 2, wherein the one or more criteria include thesecond signal satisfying one or more frequency thresholds.
 4. Thesecuring tool of claim 2, wherein the one or more criteria include thesecond signal satisfying one or more amplitude thresholds.
 5. Thesecuring tool of claim 1, wherein an electrical circuit is opened when aportion of the self-tensioned clamp breaks physical contact with aconductive path of the securing tool.
 6. The securing tool of claim 1,wherein the vibration sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor.
 7. Thesecuring tool of claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to initiate atimer in response to one of the sensor signals.
 8. The securing tool ofclaim 1, wherein the output indicative of the determination comprisesoutbound transmission indicative of the determination.
 9. The securingtool of claim 8, wherein the outbound transmission indicative of thedetermination triggers storage of data indicative of the determinationin a database.
 10. The securing tool of claim 1, wherein the paddlecomprises a printed circuit board (PCB).
 11. The securing tool of claim1, wherein the oblique angle is an acute angle.
 12. A securing tool,comprising: a handle; one or more prying members positioned at a firstend of the securing tool opposite the handle, the one or more pryingmembers shaped to engage a release of a self-tensioned hose clamp tocause the handle to be manipulable to spring the self-tensioned hoseclamp; a vibration amplifier mounted to a surface of the securing tool;a first sensor configured to provide a first signal indicative of astate of physical contact between one or more of the prying members andthe self-tensioned hose clamp; a second sensor mounted on the vibrationamplifier, the second sensor configured to detect vibration created bythe self-tensioned hose clamp clinching a hose and provide a secondsignal indicative of the detected vibration; and a logic configured todetermine whether the first and second signals satisfy a criterion, andto provide output indicative of the determination.
 13. The securing toolof claim 12, wherein the first sensor comprises a continuity sensor thatis part of an electrical circuit, wherein physical contact between thecontinuity sensor and the self-tensioned hose clamp closes theelectrical circuit, and wherein the continuity sensor is configured toprovide the first signal as indicative of the electrical circuit beingopened after the handle is manipulated to spring the self-tensioned hoseclamp and the physical contact between the continuity sensor and theself-tensioned hose clamp is broken.
 14. The securing tool of claim 13,wherein the electrical circuit is opened when a conductive portion ofthe self-tensioned hose clamp breaks physical contact with a conductivepath of the securing tool, wherein the conductive path includes thecontinuity sensor.
 15. The securing tool of claim 12, wherein the secondsensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor.
 16. The securing tool of claim12, wherein the output is further indicative of whether theself-tensioned hose clamp was successfully secured to the hose.
 17. Thesecuring tool of claim 12, wherein said output indicative of thedetermination is a sound.
 18. The securing tool of claim 12, wherein theoutput indicative of the determination is an outbound networkcommunication or an illumination of one or more light emitting diodes.19. The securing tool of claim 12, wherein the output indicative of thedetermination is a haptic feedback.
 20. The securing tool of claim 12,wherein the vibration sensor comprises a printed circuit board that isfree at one end and secured at an opposite end to the surface of thesecuring tool.